Holly Stocker

Education: B.A., finance, University of St. Thomas; J.D., University of Minnesota

Family: Husband, Meko; 4-year-old, another child on the way

Sometimes opportunities come just at the right time, as Holly Stocker discovered early in her career when a position opened up that was made for her skills.

What’s the biggest turning point in your career and how did that lead you to what you are doing today?

I started at Winthrop & Weinstine as a litigator but quickly found it was not for me. When I learned there was an opportunity to work in commercial lending and real estate transactions group, I took it. If I hadn’t made that move I would not be here and I doubt very much I would be practicing law.

What are your job responsibilities today?

I represent banks in real estate transactions. For example, I represented Sunrise Banks on the Habitat for Humanity headquarters, TPT’s new headquarters in downtown St. Paul and the new Midway YMCA. Most of the deals that I work on involve tax credits of some variety.

What’s your proudest community achievement?

I enjoy very much working on projects that include New Markets Tax Credits because they have the goal of creating jobs in low income communities. Having that niche makes everything else I do more fulfilling. I also serve on the board of Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota — affordable home ownership is a soapbox issue of mine – and I’ve also focused on mentoring minority women.

What’s the best advice you received from a mentor, and what’s your best advice to women entering your field?

I think that my mentors have done a good job putting me into positions where I was able to learn a lot but where I had to take ownership of the project. Doing this gave me confidence and helped me learn much quicker.